11 Facts About Sharks

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There are more than 465 different types of sharks in the world.

Great whites can detect one drop of blood in 25 gal (100 L) of water and can sense even tiny amounts of blood in the water up to 3 mi (5 km) away.

You’re likelier to be struck by lightning than attacked by a shark. There were only 7 shark-related human deaths in 2012 compared to 73 million sharks killed annually by people. They’re killed to supply demand for their fins, which are made into soup.

Such demand for fins is depleting shark populations worldwide. Conservationists dedicate their lives to protecting animals like sharks. Send them a thank-you note for protecting species being illegally killed. Sign up for Wildlife Cards.

The film Jaws — though heavily fictionalized — was based on a real incident in 1916, where four people were killed by a shark off the coast of New Jersey.

Send thank you cards to rangers who protect endangered species.

Great white sharks eat 11 tons of food a year while the average human eats closer to half a ton of food each year.

Whale sharks are the world’s biggest fish.

Sharks mature slowly and reach reproductive age anywhere from 12 to 15 years.

Sharks have been swimming in the ocean for more than 400 million years.

Hammerhead sharks' eyes are on the sides of their heads, so they have nearly a 360-degree sight line. Their panoramic view of the undersea world is inhibited by two blind spots, one in front of the snout and the other directly behind the head.